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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — There’s a mascot movement catching flight at the University of Illinois. A group of students are ruffling feathers and hoping to bring about change in the new year.
The movement started back in 2019 with the idea of one student.
“She one day was looking for ideas of what the university could be, what a mascot could be for us,” King’s Guard Social Media Lead Averhy Sanborn said.
And that’s when she found it.
“The female Belted Kingfisher, as we like to say, is naturally true to the orange and blue,” Sanborn said. “She’s got those beautiful blue feathers around her wings and then that nice orange stripe on her belly.”
The university retired its previous mascot in 2007, making U of I one of only a couple of BIG Ten schools without one.
“I think mascots are great fun,” Sanborn said. “I’ve grown up around here and I’ve never really had an experience with a mascot like I know friends at other universities, other cities have.”
The King’s Guard is the student team behind the mascot push. They’ve shown off the Kingfisher across campus at homecoming parades, club sports events and more.
“This is a movement of love, that we love this university, and we would love for there to be something for the student body to rally around,” Sanborn said.
The King’s Guard hopes 2025 brings more support and a brand new look for the bird. They’re planning to replace the current homemade costume with one done by professionals.
Beyond that, students are hoping to meet with university Chancellor Robert Jones before he steps down this summer.
“His input is invaluable,” Sanborn said. “It’s truly what we need to sustain this movement and see change, so we’re really excited to hopefully be able to meet with him.”
They say it’s crucial to get him, or whoever steps into the position next, on board behind the mascot. It’ll be in their hands to decide if 2025 is the year of the Belted Kingfisher.
You can keep up with the bird on Instagram.